November 30th

Hello! So... We get transfer calls today but I'm emailing before the
call so... I have no idea what's happening!! Maybe I'll get it while
I'm typing this email :)
Here's the update from my week of trying to get back into the swing of
things! Sister Gappmayer came from Kichijoji last Saturday night and
stayed with me until this Saturday morning so the other sisters could
work as usual and we could take things slow.
Wednesday: We did our usual study schedule and then made cards for
investigators and members. Then we rested until the evening and took
the long walk to the church to teach English class. I hadn't been
there in a few weeks and there were just 2 students in our class but
we enjoyed it and we were able to talk to/invite people during the
walk to and from the church. It felt good to get out and do missionary
things again!
Thursday: Thanksgiving! We studied and planned a message and made
cards and handouts for our thanksgiving dinner. The Yokota Air Base is
in our zone so... All the Musashino North Zone missionaries got to
spend time with American members for thanksgiving. We didn't actually
get to go to America (the base) but we had dinner with 2 member
families and 1 non-member family at the non-member family's house.
They were all very relaxed and it was just perfect. We felt so spoiled
and lucky to eat such delicious food. American food!! It had so much
flavor. Haha We shared a message about gratitude and a cute mormon
message about living in thanksgiving and bore our testimonies about
the principles of the gospel we are most grateful for. It was so fun
to almost be in America for a couple hours! Also, the train ride there
and back was really long with about a million transfers so we had lots
of opportunity to talk to people and invite them! My favorite
conversation happened when I asked a lady if she had a family. She
hesitated and said it was a hard question... Probably meaning she
doesn't have one or her family relationships are complicated. I
immediately testified of our identity as God's children and our part in
God's family. I told her I was really grateful for this special time I
have in Japan to meet my Japanese brothers and sisters. It was silent
for a little bit and then we kept the conversation going, but it felt
good to testify and give her an opportunity to feel the spirit. We
also met this girl who is interested in church and learning about
Christ! Got her number and called her last night and we have an
appointment to meet this Saturday!! Woohoo!
Friday: Remember my friend Misako? Well she got really busy and fell
off the face of the earth and told us she couldn't meet until February
but still really wanted to take lessons and come to church when she
has time again. Well, I've been trying to contact her just to say hey
but I think she feels bad when I do because she literally can't meet
us. So I had this great idea! I had the missionaries who had taught
her with me and the members she had gotten to know at church and in
her lessons each write her a letter of encouragement and I delivered
them on Friday! We put a huge packet of letters in her mailbox! I
found out on Sunday that she had emailed one of the members and said
she was excited to get the letters and would contact the missionaries
again when her schedule clears up. Keep her in your prayers! We love
Misako!
Then we did the cleaning check for our apartment, contacted
investigators, and wrote more cards and thank you's to members and
friends.
In the evening we had dinner and a lesson at Asada shimai's house.
Asada Kyoudai was there for a lot more of the evening this time! He
spoke a lot more. He is really adorable. When asked what gift he has
received from God, he said "marriage". He loves English and likes
talking to us in English more than in Japanese. Asada Shimai is so
sweet and she makes the best food! It was really fun :)
Saturday: I became a three person companionship with Funakura Shimai
and eyring Shimai. We went to the church after study time to do a deep
cleaning with the members. So really cool.... I hadn't been to church
in a couple weeks and hadn't met with Choi for lessons or really
communicated with her that much in a while... Well, she must have just
heard about the cleaning assignment at church and showed up without
invitation from the missionaries! So cool. She told me on Sunday that
she was nervous when she was baptized and confirmed but recently she
has felt a lot of peace and is becoming familiar and getting used to
things at church. So good! Anyway we weeded the plants behind the
church and organized the missionary closet and it all looks so much
better!
We met the other sister's potential investigator, Ayame for lunch. She
is really cool and pretty and works for nu-skin. I think she wanted to
help us with our skin haha. We felt ugly and American next to her but
she was really awesome. She had texted earlier saying she didn't
really want to meet to talk about church. She mostly wanted to become
friends. Well, we ended up talking mostly about church and she said
she may have interest in coming to the church and meeting again and
learning more about Christ when she has time again. She didn't really
know anything about Jesus or Christmas so we taught her a little bit
and testified of Him.
We went housing for a little bit inviting people to the Christmas
party. Then we took the bus to Kichijoji. We met Yuko, the other
sister's sort of kind of investigator, for dinner and then went to the
Kichijoji music night. It was a way cool event. Lots of investigators,
missionaries, recent converts, and friends performed and the focus was
Christ, gifts from God, and Christmas. Lots of way talented people and
a really good spirit. I was able to see old investigators and less
actives from Kichijoji. It was so fun! One less active in particular,
Sakaguchi Shimai, was way excited to see me! It felt really good that
I had been able to make even a small difference and a friendship even
when my Japanese was not so good and I mostly never knew what she was
saying when we visited her before!
Sunday: So many members asked about our health! It was cool that they
noticed and cared! Miller Shimai is STILL in the hospital. Probably
comes back tomorrow. Church was cool! Three really new converts in
gospel principles. 3 converts in our ward this transfer! After church
there was a pot luck lunch. We don't have a gym or anything like it so
it was in the chapel. So weird! The theme of our conversations was
talking about our ancestors and stories about our grandparents. Sister
Eyring got to stand up and talk about her grandpa!! He goes to their
house every night for dinner and always shares spiritual stories and
funny stories!
We visited a referral, delivered birthday cards, housed, and shared a
message with a member family and their non-member dad. Also we biked a
lot!
I have been extremely tired these last couple days trying to keep up
with normal life! But it's fun!
Favorite quote from today's study. President Uchtdorf's talk from
October 2010 conference.
"Brothers and sisters, indeed we have great reason to rejoice. If life
and its rushed pace and many stresses have made it difficult for you
to feel like rejoicing, then perhaps now is a good time to refocus on
what matters most.
Strength comes not from frantic activity but from being settled on a
firm foundation of truth and light. It comes from placing our
attention and efforts on the basics of the restored gospel of Jesus
Christ. It comes from paying attention to the divine things that
matter most.
Let us simplify our lives a little. Let us make the changes necessary
to refocus our lives on the sublime beauty of the simple, humble path
of Christian discipleship--the path that leads always toward a life of
meaning, gladness, and peace."
Of Things That Matter Most
http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2010/10/of-things-that-matter-most?lang=eng
Happy December! This is a perfect time to simplify and focus on what
matters most. Christ is the real meaning of this season. This is the
perfect time to share your faith, love others, and serve! This is the
perfect time to testify of Christ and what his gospel means to you.
Christ is the gift that God has given to us. He's the gift that allows
us to return to God again!
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son,
that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have
everlasting life.
John 3:16 http://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/john/3?lang=eng
I love y'all a lot! Miss you.
Transfer calls STILL haven't come. I'll let ya know!
Love,
Kinz

Sakaguchi Shimai

Sister Gappmayer, Sister Asada, Sister Funakura, Sister Eyring 

 
Thanksgiving leftovers with Gappy 

Tomato ramen with Yuko San

CHRISTMAS TREE with Sister Gappmayer

SOS. BOM. 

EIKAIWA

Sister Funakura

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

Study time 

Cooking Night

 
THANKSGIVING 

November 25th

Hello Everyone!! 

I know you probably weren't worried, but just in case you were... I'M ALIVE! And here's why you might have been worried... ALL the details ;) TMI? Oops. 

Where to begin..... 

November 14th. Friday night: Sister Miller got up a few times in the night to puke. 

Saturday morning: I told my companion to rest and we could call Sister Wada after I got ready. I was feeling sort of sick but didn't really question it and went on with the normal things. Worked out, showered, ate breakfast and started studying. I went in to the other sisters study room when it was time for companion study and suggested that one of them work with me that day because we had 3 lessons to teach and my companion certainly wasn't coming with me! It was beginning to become complicated trying to make a decision of who should stay with Sister Miller and who should come with me because I still needed to exchange with Sister Funakura but she had pneumonia! so I called Sister Wada and explained the situation. Then she asked me the real problem and I admitted I felt sick too. She convinced me to cancel the lessons and stay home. Good thing cause within an hour or two I was vomiting, too! 

For three days it was the same story. Lay in misery with a fever. Puke. Get up and go to the bathroom a lot. It felt as frequent as every 5 minutes but I'm not sure. And try to drink water and sports drink because I knew I was dying. 

The elders came and gave us blessings on Sunday night. 

Monday night I knew I was not getting better and I was concerned because we weren't getting help. So I called and everyone felt like we needed to wait to go to the doctor in the morning if we could get an appointment. But... With a number of calls between several different people and confusion about what everyone wanted everyone else to do... I end up calling 119, the emergency number! Sister Wada said they would speak to me in English but that was not true. They asked for our address and then said a bunch of things I didn't understand at all and then 3 men and an ambulance showed up at our house. We decided to go with them because I wanted help! The other sisters cancelled their lesson and came with us. 

And this is my adventure in an ambulance and a Japanese hospital!! 

So no one speaks English... And we are too sick to want to talk but I used my best Japanese and also learned lots of new vocabulary about my symptoms. First time in an ambulance. It was cool I guess. I felt horrible. And my companion was doing wayyy worse than I was. We sit in the ambulance in front of our house for forever while they call around to find a hospital and explain that we are 2 sick Americans who are okay at Japanese, and our roommates, a Japanese girl who doesn't speak English, and another American who doesn't speak Japanese. Then we finally leave and get there in like 10 minutes! 

At the hospital they have me sit in the tiniest wheelchair ever. I'm seriously confused about what they do with the fat people. Then... They ask me if its okay to give me an IV and I was strangely not terrified of anything even though I was in a hospital! In a foreign country where they don't speak my language! I hate doctors in America and this should have been worse! But I wanted to feel better that bad that I was willing to go and do whatever it took. Anyway I'm sitting there in a wheelchair, wanting to vomit and go to the bathroom and feeling really hot and faint but they start sticking needles in me and taking my blood and asking me a lot of questions and getting my blood everywhere in the process. I finally ask them if I can lie down and then I puked. And then they took me to a bed where I could lay and have an IV. Blood test results came back and I was fine! They were guessing that I must have gotten a poison or toxin of some kind... They took a stool sample and had me go home after the IV. 

Sister Miller didn't mention until we got to the hospital that she has acid reflux disease. Turns out that made it really hard for her to drink during all those days of vomiting. So she got super dehydrated and her kidney stopped working the way it should. So they kept her!! 

I got home at 3 in the morning, still feeling bad but a tiny bit better. 

Stayed in bed for several more days. Each day a tiny bit better. Stopped the vomiting, but kept the fever and the diarrhea. 

Finally get the results from the lab and we got SALMONELLA food poisoning!!! No wonder!! 

My stomach would kill anything I put inside... Water, food, anything. I would feel terrible and have to go to the bathroom immediately. Lost tons of weight I think. 

Friday night I went back to the hospital for them to check on me and they gave me some antibiotics. I think they are magic because I really am improving tons each day now! My goal is to feel good enough to eat like a sort of almost maybe normal person on thanksgiving! 

Sister Miller is still in the hospital... Keep her in your prayers!! 

I think I will get out of bed and slowly do some normal things these next few days. I'm really weak and my stomach is still really sensitive and it moves around a ton, but I feel like a new human! I'm so grateful!!! I've been dreaming about all the food I want when I feel good again. And it's mostly American. I'll go on a search for something that tastes like America. Like carbs and cheese. Hahaha 

We get transfer calls next week. Don't know what will happen!! President Wada told me to concentrate on getting healthy right now and worry about the work after that. He knows me well. Today is temple P day. Didn't feel up to traveling that far :( But maybe they will let the sick people from our zone go next week if we are feeling better! A good percent of the mission is sick right now. 2 are currently hospitalized. :( 

I can now say I'm a survivor of Salmonella! Yuck. It really takes the life out of you. Don't eat chicken. Ever. Or eggs. 

Each experience we have is a blessing. I've been blessed with wonderful roommate sisters who have showed patience and love. It is lonely and weird to have my companion away from me, but I guess we bonded over our strange symptoms and miserable experience. Sister Wada told me this was my time to receive revelation and I thought she was crazy at first. I couldn't think of anything but making it to the toilet on time and I had heard that sick people can't feel the spirit. Well they are wrong and sister Wada of course is right. I guess God really isn't about efficiency if he allows his missionaries to sit out for several days... It was interesting to really try to understand what God's work is about and why he would let me lay on the ground and puke my guts out when there were souls to save and I was willing to help him invite! And that's what it's about. It's a willing heart. It's not perfect statistics or service, perfect lessons or golden investigators, the largest teaching pool, or most SOS invitations. It's my heart. And for days while I lay on the ground with no energy in me to serve him, at least my heart wanted to. And he was fine with that. And he showed me that he loved me and he didn't leave me alone. It's important for me to know these things so I can testify of these things. He loves me and he loves us all. Pain and sickness is part of that road to glory. Let's keep on traveling! Also, everything is a miracle. 

I've learned a lot this past week and a half. Learning to find joy in the journey. make the most of the TIME I have here. To build real human relationships. To love. To love each moment and not worry or stress about what others might expect. Just do what God wants me to do when he wants me to do it. Be satisfied with my best. Receive revelation. Be genuinely happy. Not work harder than is necessary. This work is work but it can feel like fun. Make this into a memory I will feel happy about. Christ is the REASON. He is the reason I'm here. He is the way. Because of Him, we can endure and overcome hard things. Because of Him, we can return to our Heavenly Home. I love Him. 

I love being a missionary. This is the longest shortest best worst most amazing difficult incredible experience ever. I love my testimony. I love the message I share. I love the people. I love learning about God. He has given me so much. All that I am is because of Him. Forever grateful, forever indebted. 

I love you all. Write me :) Oh. And happy thanksgiving! Eat a big American meal for me :) I'm thankful for many things. YOU. Eternal Families. The gospel of Jesus Christ. I'm grateful for love. 

Love, 

Sister McKenzie Reeves

Feeling a little better and eating a mc flurry with gappmayer Shimai!

November 16th

Hey family! 

Here's a little update on this week. First off... My companion and I got pretty sick this weekend so we have been in bed for like 3 days. Pray for us! 

On Tuesday night we had a cooking activity at the church. It was Choi shimai's idea... All 4 sister missionaries came and we invited a couple ward members. Choi taught us how to make a Korean dish. It was yummy. Then each sister missionary shared a mini devotional about missionary work. It was a really good defining moment for Choi Shimai and allowed her to use her talents and make friends in the ward. 

Wednesday I went to Tokorozawa on exchanges with Merstrand Shimai! It was such a good day. We studied, then went to a beautiful park for finding. Lots of the leaves had changed colors and it was a gorgeous day. We talked to tons of people! Sister merstrand is a really bold missionary and I really admire her. We met with one of her investigators for a lesson as well. She is this cute and sort of crazy old lady, Kimiko San. She put the picture of Christ that the sisters gave her, as well as the Book of Mormon on her Buddhist altar because she knows they are really important things. We taught her about the Spirit and invited her to come to church on Sunday. She said it will be her first time going to a church in years but she hoped it would take away some of her worries. Then we taught Eikaiwa together. We taught the advanced class and that's always fun because they are usually basically fluent in English. Sister merstrand likes to send her students with a challenge or question to ponder each week. The question they answered this time was "what do you want you friends to remember about you when you die?" I was really surprised, that most of the answers given were that they didn't care if they were remembered. 

Thursday: We went to visit a less active who has now missed her appointment with us twice in a row. :( We planned a really good message for her about the role of women and were really sad we weren't able to share it with her. We went to visit a member for her birthday. It was fun because I had never met her before and she was home and we were able to sing to her! 

Friday: We had district meeting in the morning. I was asked to do a training on teaching the plan of salvation. We paired up with another companionship and were to teach a simple overview of the lesson in 5 minutes. We met Okuno Shimai for a lesson. We talked about the temple and she said she wants to have an interview for a temple recommend so she can go and do baptisms. We will teach her about other temple ordinances next time. We had a lesson with Choi Shimai and Asada Shimai about obedience and prayer and scripture study. We watched part of Elder Scott's talk from conference. Asada Shimai was perfect... Really good fellowshipper and friend. She shared powerful testimony of prayer and how obedience is the way to be free. Then we met with hirata Shimai for a lesson. We watched the last part of president uchtdorf's talk from the women's conference and read scriptures about the blessings coming after tribulation. And we watched a mormon message about trials called "mountains to climb". Hirata Shimai really appreciated the lesson and said that she felt God's love through us. 

Well. That's all for now! Love you. 

Love, 

Sister Kinz

exchange in Tokorozawa with Sister Merstrand

Korean cooking with Choi, Sister Aono, and Sister Okuno

Sister Miller, Me, Sister Merstrand, Sister Ellsworth

Choirs cooking night with Sister Miller 

Waiting for a bus... Sister Miller and me! 

November 10th

Dearest Family, 

It was a crazy week. We did lots but then got to the end of the week, looked at our stats and I thought, "did we even do anything this week?!" Yep, we did. Part of that included going to Kichijoji 4 days in a row. So we were hardly in our area! 

On Tuesday I went on Splits with eyring Shimai. We had a really fun day. I love working with her! She is a really good missionary and bears her testimony in every conversation! Her companion told her once that she feels the Spirit every time Eyring Shimai speaks! It's really true actually. It doesn't matter what she says or if her japanese makes sense because it's said with sincerity and love and guided by the Spirit. We visited 2 recent converts and 2 less actives together. And... Miracle... They were all home!! It made for a really happy and busy day. Eyring Shimai and I are planning on being companions when the earthquake comes... So we can wear our yellow helping hands vests and bring the gospel to a nation in crisis! So pray for an earthquake! I think natural disasters soften hearts and bring people together in love and service. 

Family history... I'm doing it! Sort of. The mission has asked all the missionaries to finish their "my family" booklets so we can share family history with those we meet. There is a section in preach my gospel about family history as a method for finding investigators and I always thought that was silly or sounded boring. But it's actually a miracle worker in Japan. Japanese people, whether they are a real Buddhist or not, receive an influence from the Buddhist religion. Families and ancestors are given a high priority and are very important to most people. Many pray to their ancestors morning and night, visit their graves on occasion, and believe that they are with them and watching over them. There is even a special day in the summer when they come back. This value placed on loved ones who have gone before is a really good way for us to introduce the gospel and the plan of salvation and eternal families. Also, people are hesitant to talk about religion, but they'll open up if we talk about our families! As I have been copying information about my ancestors into my family book and reading stories about them on family search, I'm actually feeling the spirit of Elijah. I thought it wasn't real. But it is. I want to know more about my family and get to know living relatives better than I have. We don't have time during the day for family history, so I need your help! I'll be emailing you personally ;) 

MLC. This was one of those days in Kichijoji for mission leadership council. It's really long but fast paced and way exciting. We weren't even able to get through everything on the agenda, but we got in lots of practice and discussed the progress of the mission. Our mission is seeing so many miracles right now. 7 baptisms in October! Our goal is for each companionship to extend 3 invitations to be baptized by the end of the year. When we invite, we succeed. Before elder Ringwood came, each missionary took an online survey to see where we are at as a PMG mission. We broke down the results of the survey together and decided the possible root causes for the low results and chose items for future training in our zone and district meetings. Lots to do! And so much growth to see! 

Interviews. On Friday we were back in kichijoji for interviews with president wada. Mine was shorter than usual because I didn't come with too many questions. But he gave me some good council! To not run faster than I have strength, but to build my strength and use this time to understand the Spirit and revelation and to enjoy missionary work! I took his council and studied further in my personal study. I'm definitely the type to freak out about all the things I have to do and forget to have fun. But... My current companion is way good for me! She is really easy going and always positive. She is good at finding miracles in a rough day and she helps us to recognize the good that we are doing and the good that is happening around us. And so... Each day is imperfect. And each day is fun! Imperfectly fun. :) 

And... We went back to kichijoji for stake conference on Saturday and Sunday! Fun thing about having been in the same stake the whole mission so far is that I get to see all the old members from kichijoji, too! The focus of so many of the talks was missionary work. President and Sister Wada spoke in both sessions and we heard from 2 recently returned sister missionaries. It was awesome! When we went for interviews this week, sister wada interviewed us as we were waiting and asked us about the good influence our mothers had on us. and then she shared our answers in her talk! This is what I said ;)『私の御母さんは天使です』(My mother is an angel!) I love my mom! I told her about Mom's silly songs and how she taught us that our siblings were our best friends and how she is good at being the mom and the friend. 

Riding the bus to kichijoji a million times turned out to be a miracle. I re-met people I had met before several months earlier! Our mission and our approach has changed since then so I was able to extend a proper bold invitation to attend church or hear our message. The statistics say that a person typically comes in contact with the missionaries 7 times before they decide to take lessons. This time I got to be time number 1 and time number 2! And I saw the difference in these ladies. They remembered me and asked if I was headed to church! They brought up the church this time and I was able to invite and share my testimony and my purpose. They didn't accept the offer, but I saw how their hearts had changed and I feel like if they had that experience 5 more times, they would certainly say yes! We never know the difference that these simple conversations can make. 

Me and kana chan! Look at her crazy hair ;)

Well. That's all for now! I love you. 

Love, 

Kinz

October 27th

Hey family!

This has been a great week of many miracles! It was way sad to say
goodbye to Shitami Shimai who was transferring and Barnes Shimai who
finished her mission and returned home! I'm missing them!

My new companion, Sister Miller, is great. It's fun to work with
someone who is my same missionary age. There are lots of things I can
learn from her! She loves missionary work and she starts conversations
with everyone!! It's fun!

This week we met with Fumiyo San and Uemura Shimai. We reset
expectations and found out that she is not so much interested in a
church as she is interested in answers to questions she has pondered.
We had planned on teaching the restoration but felt prompted to change
our plans and teach the plan of salvation instead. Uemura Shimai is
the bishop's wife... And she was so helpful! The plan of salvation
answered a lot of the things Fumiyo wanted to know, she is really
interested in the doctrine of resurrection. She was so grateful for
the lesson and is willing to study the Book of Mormon before we meet
again.

We met with Asada Shimai for dinner and a lesson at her home. She is
one of my favorite people in Japan. She's like my japanese grandma!
She has the strongest faith of anyone I know. She has been through
many hard things including, losing her 5 year old son, all of her
children becoming less active, a difficult marriage, etc. A few years
after she was baptized, her family's home was destroyed in a fire.
They lost everything. But her Book of Mormon... Remained. That
experience strongly testified to her of the importance and
truthfulness of that sacred book. Here's a picture... She holds it
dear!

Halloween Party: Choi, Ishizaka couple, Sister Okuno

Lesson with CHOI

October 21st

Dearest Family! 

Sorry to be emailing a day late! P day really was yesterday, but we had an appointment with a potential investigator so we weren't able to email! 

So first off.... We got transfer calls! And I am staying in Hibarigaoka!!!! YES! But... My companion is leaving me... Again :( I was actually excited about maybe having another transfer with Shitami Shimai, but my new companion will be Sister Miller. She and I came to Japan at the same time and actually sat next to each other on the flight over here. We will both be transfer 7 missionaries this next transfer! Time flies so fast! Anyway, I have also been called to serve as a Sister training leader and I will be over three sister companion sets! This means I will be going on exchanges like all the time! 

Yesterday was an amazing experience! President Wada gave us permission to travel as a zone to the place where Japan was first dedicated for missionary work. We met in a beautiful park and prayed together, read the journal entry about the dedicatory prayer, read various prophecies about the work in Japan and had an opportunity to share our testimonies. It was faith-building to read words of apostles and prophets and to know that we are apart of something great. The church is so strong here and the work is moving faster than we think. I am so blessed to be here and get to know and love such an amazing culture and people and to help strengthen the church and share the truth that I know with my brothers and sisters here. God is so real. He is mindful of each and every individual on this earth. Here are some of the prophecies: Soooo cool! 

 

Anyway we had a busy week! Some highlights! 

Choi Shimai has finished all the lessons and her baptismal interview and will be baptized his coming Sunday! We are sooo excited for her! I'm grateful for the friendship we have. I have learned so much from her and feel so blessed to be able to continue to study and apply the gospel with her as she begins her journey on the covenant path back to our heavenly home. 

We did a "family history blitz" as a district. We met near a neighboring train station and proselyted together for a couple hours. The first bit we stayed with our companions and "streeted" (aka. Walking around and talking to people you see haha). Our focus was talking about our families and introducing family history and the family a proclamation to the world. We found a new potential investigator! People are more likely to open up when you talk about family... Family and ancestry are really important to japanese people. The next bit we switched companions and I worked with sister eyring. We went housing and were to introduce the same materials. Housing means... You ring doorbells:) We met tons of people with no interest in why we were at their door but we had so much fun and knew we were fulfilling our purpose. It was really cool to be united as a district and really effective proselyting! 

Today we went as a district with some other ward members to sing at some sort of home...? I'm not sure what it's called in English but it was kind of like Hope Village... A place for people with various handicaps to gather and participate in activities. We sang three traditional japanese songs and a couple patriotic songs from America. It was so cute and we all felt the spirit so strong. One cute lady who loves singing, sang us her favorite English song from karaoke.... You are my sunshine! We asked her if she knew what the words meant, and she didn't so we taught her! And told her she was our sunshine! She gave us hugs as we left! 

I'm learning a lot about love here in Japan. I didn't know what kind of experience I would have in Japan before I came here, but wouldn't trade these experiences and friendships for anything better I thought I was leaving behind. I don't know how much of a difference I'm making in other's lives but they are certainly making a difference in mine. This work isn't easy at all, but is all worth it for the lessons I'm learning about Christ's perfect love and for the love I feel from my brothers and sisters and eternal friends where I serve. It's so simple and so pure to give and receive expressions of love. Love is a language that crosses all barriers. Christ is our perfect example of how to live and how to love. When we understand his gospel and strive to live and love as we did, our natures change and we can change the world. This week in church we learned about having love for all of God's children and I loved this quote from President Joseph Fielding Smith: 

"I think if all men knew and understood who they are, and were aware of the divine source from whence they came, they would have feelings of kindness and kinship for each other that would change their whole way of living and bring peace on earth."

Also, please read this passage from president uchtdorf's talk to the young women in April 2013 about the language of love!! 

"In our premortal life we learned firsthand, from the Father of our spirits, a universal language--one that has the power to overcome emotional, physical, and spiritual barriers.

That language is the pure love of Jesus Christ.

It is the most powerful language in the world.

The love of Christ is not a pretend love. It is not a greeting-card love. It is not the kind of love that is praised in popular music and movies.

This love brings about real change of character. It can penetrate hatred and dissolve envy. It can heal resentment and quench the fires of bitterness. It can work miracles.

We received our first lessons in this language of love as spirits in God's presence, and here on earth we have opportunities to practice it and become fluent. You can know if you are learning this language of love by evaluating what motivates your thoughts and actions.

When your primary thoughts are focused on how things will benefit you, your motivations may be selfish and shallow. That is not the language you want to learn.

But when your primary thoughts and behaviors are focused on serving God and others--when you truly desire to bless and lift up those around you--then the power of the pure love of Christ can work in your heart and life. That is the language you want to learn.

As you become fluent in this language and use it in your interactions with others, they will recognize something in you that may awaken in them a long-hidden feeling to search for the right way on the journey back to their heavenly home. After all, the language of love is their true native language too.

This deep and abiding influence is a language that reaches to the very soul. It is a language of understanding, a language of service, a language of lifting and rejoicing and comforting.

Learn to use the universal language of Christ's love." 

Your Wonderful Journey Home- Dieter F. Uchtdorf 

http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2013/04/your-wonderful-journey-home?lang=eng

I LOVE YOU 

Each of you mean so much to me <3

Regina's Aunt, at Regine's birthday party!! 

MLC

Tomato Ramen with Mariya 

Chinese cooking with Sister Barnes, Sister Eyring, and Sister Shitami

Cute in our rain suits :) 

Gyoza and Nikuman

Zone P-day- This is where Japan was first dedicated for missionary work! 

Sister Shitami and Me on Temple P-day 

RAMEN with DAD (President Wada) 

October 14th

Konnichiwa:)

Updates ...

Tuesday: Visited a cute family in the ward who I didn't really know
before. We made games for the kids to play to try to pay attention in
conference! They were so full of energy and so fun! I love being on a
mission in Japan. One of my favorite parts is getting to know the
members. Most are first generation or second generation members of the
church so it's really cool to hear conversion stories and be uplifted
by their testimonies and faith. Also, sooo many of them are returned
missionaries and have a huge desire to help with the work!
We went to visit a member who just came back from the Philippines for
her mother's funeral. She wasn't home so we left a note, and rang the
doorbells of all the apartments in her building. It was dinner time so
everyone was busy, but one cute mom said we could come visit another
time! We tried the members home again and she and her daughter were
home! They welcomed us with huge hugs... Pretty rare to receive a big
hug in Japan, but they are Filipino ;) we talked with them and shared
a message about eternal families, but they were the ones who taught
us!! They spoke of the love they have for their family, but also the
hope they have because of the plan of salvation. They each bore
testimony of the love and comfort they have received during this time
of loss. And they are truly happy. They also have lots of fire for
missionary work! They have been helping us a ton with our Filipino
investigator and want to help us find and teach and participate in
missionary work in any way possible. The daughter is 21 but can't
serve full time for medical reasons, but really wants to be a
missionary and fellowship our friends.

Wednesday: the Ishizaka couple invited us and choi Shimai (our
investigator with a baptismal date) over for lunch and a lesson at
their home. It was amazing! They are so strong and have so much love.
We taught about the law of chastity and focused the lesson on the
importance of families and eternal relationships. Choi Shimai had
never heard of this commandment before but it really touched her
because of her desire for a happy family. It was a spiritual
experience rather than an awkward one as we testified of her worth,
Christ's power to heal, and the strength that comes into our family
relationships as we are faithful. After the lesson, they let me play
their piano and we sang each of our favorite hymns. Ishizaka shimai's
favorite is the third verse of away in a manger. They lost their son
when he was a young boy. She went to the temple for comfort and the
words of the hymn ran through her mind "be near me Lord Jesus, I ask
thee to stay close by me forever and love me I pray. Bless all the
dear children in thy tender care and fit us for heaven to live with
thee there." Because of this gospel I have hope. I know that death is
not the end. We can experience such joy and growth as families here on
earth and it's great! But our relationships in heaven will be even
better. More than we can imagine. Perfect!
2 And that same sociality which exists among us here will exist among
us there, only it will be coupled with eternal glory, which glory we
do not now enjoy.
D&C 130:2
Later we visited a less active member and knocked on doors near her
home. Lately, my companion and I have been trying out finding the old
fashioned way... Cause where do you find families?! At home!
We met with Juri and Moeka (investigator from kichijoji) for dinner.
We really want to meet with juri and teach her about the gospel. She
doesn't have tons of interest, but as she listens to he message we
know she will! Moeka talked about how she loves taking lessons with
the sisters in kichijoji. The two girls came to general conference
this weekend and both really enjoyed it!

Thursday:
We had an appointment with a less active who lives forever and a year
away but she wasn't home when we got there... We did a LOT of housing.
We met a lady who prays to God everyday, but doesn't really go to
church or read the bible anymore. We introduced the Book of Mormon to
her and bore testimony and showed her how it answers questions we all
have in our hearts. She expressed interest in some of the questions of
the soul, but wouldn't accept the Book of Mormon. I feel sad when my
brothers and sisters don't want to learn more, but I feel successful
when I give them that choice. I am grateful for opportunities I have
to bear my testimony. It is the act of saying those precious truths
out loud that confirm to me that I really do believe and know. This
church is true! God lives. He loves us! The Book of Mormon is his
word!
We visited a member for her birthday and returned to a nearby home of
people who said we could return sometime. Not super fruitful but left
them with a restoration pamphlet, a map to the church, and contact
information for the missionaries.

Friday: had lunch with a recent convert and talked about her conversion story.
My companion started feeling sick so she slept for quite awhile while
I contacted our investigators and started calling everyone in the
ward... Starting with the families I didn't know... Setting up
appointments to share messages. If I'm here again next transfer, my
goal will be to get to know each family in the ward and have a
relationship with them.
Shitami Shimai still wasn't feeling well, so eyring Shimai came with
me to our lesson appointment. We went to The Asada couple's home for
dinner and a lesson with choi Shimai. It was amazing in every way.
Asada Shimai has one of the strongest testimonies ever. She is one of
my favorites! Japanese people don't really say I love you, but I know
for sure that she loves me. Her testimony of covenants is incredible.
She was married in the Hawaii temple and it was all done in English so
she didn't understand at all. When she was able to attend the temple
in Japan and hear the words of the covenant, she knew she had already
made those promises and must follow no matter what. Her marriage has
not been easy and all of her children are in active, but she is
faithful and true to her covenants and continues to love her family
unconditionally. When we compliment her beautiful family, she agrees
and comments wishfully that it could be even more beautiful if each
one was a covenant keeping member of the church. I think it was a good
experience to have our investigator in her home! The conversation at
the dinner table was all about church! We heard Asada shimai's
conversion story, and when she first believed in God, we talked about
callings and commandments and how God strengthens us to be able to do
what he needs us to do. The Lord always provides a way!

Saturday:
General Conference!!! Choi Shimai and juri came!! It was incredible! I
loved elder klebingat's talk about spiritual confidence!! I feel like
it was exactly what I needed to hear.

"No matter what your current status, the very moment you voluntarily
choose honest, joyful, daily repentance by striving to simply do and
be your very best, the Savior's Atonement envelops and follows you,
as it were, wherever you go. Living in this manner, you can truly
always retain a remission of your sins (Mosiah 4:12) every hour of
every day, every second of every minute, and thus be fully clean and
acceptable before God all the time....Yours is the privilege, if you
want it, to come to know for yourself, today or soon, that you are
pleasing God in spite of your shortcomings.... I testify of a loving
Savior who is anxious for your confidence [to] wax strong in the
presence of God (D&C 121:45). "

Our new "salvation of souls" invitations we use when finding has been
really effective so far. It stretches us and gives us courage to open
our mouths. We are meeting people who have interest in the church and
who agree to come and learn more! There are prepared people all around
us. Open your mouth and share with them a truth that you hold dear!
And invite them to come to church... :)

Sunday: conference again!! My favorite was elder Scott's talk about
the four things we must do!! Nothing is more important than making
time for prayer, study of the scriptures, weekly family home evening,
and frequent temple attendance. These four things should always be our
number one priorities... Higher than work or school or sports,etc.
when we put God first, he will give us divine help and power.
I left conference with gratitude for living prophets, feeling the love
of God, and having a desire to do a little better and be a little
better. What were YOUR favorite parts of conference?
We had dinner with the Ganaha family. So cute and fun. I tried....
Goat. Ewww. I think it was goat intestines. It tastes like how a horse
smells. Haha apparently people in Okinawa like it. That was just to
try for fun... The real food was great! Anyway their family is
awesome. They have a few friends they've been thinking about sharing
the gospel with and have been praying about the best way to share it
with them. They also gave us some advice about the work in the area.

Monday: had lunch and shared a message with the Inoue couple. Really
cute... Felt the spirit way strong in their home. The husband was just
baptized three years ago and they've been able to go to the temple
together. He got in a pretty bad accident 2 years ago and is
experiencing a lot of health problems... He is in a wheelchair and has
a helper come and help him with simple things at home. They are so
positive and have great faith and love. We testified of the atonement
and of the power that it gives us to endure and overcome. Because we
have experienced the atonement in our lives, we have a desire to help
others experience that healing power in their lives as well. I know
Jesus lives. I know he loves us. He suffered for me and for you. We
are never are alone because he knows exactly what it's like when we
are facing a trial. I love my Savior. Because of him we can be Truly
happy!! How have YOU experienced the power of the atonement in your
life?
We visited a member in the pourrrring crazy rain on our bikes for her
birthday. And then visited a potential investigator and hurried home
before 6. The mission asked all missionaries to be inside from 6
because the typhoon was coming. Lots of time to contact and do our
daily "training".

Today!! We got to go to the temple! I'm grateful for temples. When I
go to the temple I remember my purpose and my worth and I feel God's
love.

Challenge: start fasting and praying now... Who do you know who could
be blessed by a knowledge of Gods plan for them? Set a goal... A
specific date... For when you will invite this person into your home
to learn more! The missionaries want to help you help your friends :)

I  LOVE each of you so much. I'm grateful to have each of you in my
life. Have a happy week!
Xoxo,
Sister Reeves

We like to match... and take pictures (:

Moeka and Juri

October 6th

皆んなさん、こんにちは！
お元気でしょうか？
Weekly update for ya....
My companion and I set some good goals and worked wayyy hard to reach
them. She is really good at setting specific goals and following up to
make sure she achieves them.
We wanted to visit a member every day, pass a Book of Mormon, exchange
contact information with 3 people, and teach 2 lessons each day. I'm
not sure if that sounds easy or not, but it took work.

Tuesday: We did a practice lesson with Suzuki Shimai. We taught the
law of tithing and the law of the fast. It was really hard and really
helpful. I realized how much vocabulary about tithing and how the
funds are used that I don't know... And then studied again in language
study!
We visited 3 less active members and a new friend who lives near the
park. We were standing outside her home, just talking with her on her
porch, when this lady rides by on her bike and then stops to get
Tabata San's attention. She calls her over and asks her who her
"guests" were and wanted to make sure we weren't weird and that she
was okay. Just looking out for a neighbor. After walking through the
park, we headed home. On the way back, I of course said konnichiwa to
everyone. I said hello to her and didn't realize at first that it was
the same lady. She stopped and glared at us up and down and went on
her way. It was such a weird experience. Just a day in the life of a
missionary!

Wednesday: We visited Hirata Shimai and had lunch and a lesson with
her. She is a convert of about 4 years and still doesn't have a lot of
knowledge about the church. We have been encouraging her to read the
Book of Mormon every day even if she doesn't understand what she
reads. We've given her a list of our favorite parts and followed up on
her "homework" at church. She had questions about trials that we can't
overcome. She has a lot of health problems and knows that they won't
just go away even though Christ suffered for her trials. We shared
part of the talk from last conference, Bear Up Their Burdens With
Ease. It's by Elder Bednar. Everyone should definitely go read it
again. Anyway, i testified to her about why we have trials. I
explained that God wants us to grow and opposition is the way we can
do that. He wants us to be humble and rely on him. She told me on
Sunday that I'm really strict....
We visited some potential investigators in the area and then dropped
by a sick member's home to bring her some jello.
Then.. English class. Sister Eyring and I teach the advanced class.
It's really fun because the students are really good at English and we
can have deep discussions. Students often bring up questions they have
about the church. We can't actively proselyte or teach the gospel
during that hour, but it's really cool to be able to share beliefs and
ideas with these friends. One of our students has read half the Book
of Mormon and this last week she asked if our church had repentance or
confession because she often felt like she wanted to talk to someone
when she was younger. She always leaves class soooo fast when it's
over but she needs the gospel!!! Sister Eyring and I are on Mission:
Stop The English Class Student Before She Leaves So We Can Invite Her
To Hear The Restored Gospel.

Thursday: I was invited to attend Mission Leadership Council and it
was amazing!!! I seriously learned soooo much. I left feeling like I
was a successful missionary. This time I am devoting to serve the Lord
is an imperfect offering to him. He knows I can never do everything
and be perfect, but he accepts my efforts. But he also knows that I
can do better. I can constantly improve. It was fun learning with the
leaders of the mission and discussing how we as a mission can improve.
This mission has come a long way from its beginnings last summer and
we aren't done growing! President Wada is very inspired. He knows just
how to push us. He wants us to be productive but he also sees the need to
slow down and train his mission full of new missionaries. The newest
stretch he has given us is to invite those we talk with really boldly
and directly to either come to church or hear our message. We must use
the words, "will you?" Or we can't count it to our daily quota of
"Salvation of Souls" invitations. It's so different than how we
proselyted before. It's strong but it provides a choice. We never know
if we don't ask. It's hard to have 10 of those each day, but I love it
because people know our purpose. I used to feel like I was lying "in
wait to deceive." D&C 123:12
And now, we are making his purpose known! This church is true and
everyone is welcome!
8 Wherefore, how great the importance to make these things known unto
the inhabitants of the earth, that they may know that there is no
flesh that can dwell in the presence of God, save it be through the
merits, and mercy, and grace of the Holy Messiah, who layeth down his
life according to the flesh, and taketh it again by the power of the
Spirit, that he may bring to pass the resurrection of the dead, being
the first that should rise.
2 Nephi 2:8

Friday: We had a lesson with Kana. We taught the plan of salvation and
she said of course she wants to go to the celestial kingdom... If
that's the most happy, who wouldn't?! She said she is interested in
learning more about Christ and his teachings. She agreed to read some
of the Book of Mormon and come to church sometime. She's really laid
back and care free and interested in new ideas. So grateful to be
meeting with her!
We visited a potential investigator, Merstrand Shimai and I had met
while housing. She said we had stopped by with perfect timing. She
lives alone and her husband recently passed away. She was really
grateful to have someone to talk to. She understands what we do as
missionaries, but doesn't have tons of interest in hearing our
message. She is Buddhist... She prays to her ancestors daily and goes
to worship each Sunday. She showed us her prayer book and we were able
to share our beliefs about eternal families and praying to God. She
wants us to visit again and she is interested in coming to ward
activities.
We met with Erina and read scriptures together in the chapel. We
talked about our covenants and the importance of taking the sacrament
each Sunday. She is one of my best friends. She is so brave to join
the church so young and by herself, without the support of her family.
I really love her and admire her. It's hard for her to come to church
on Sunday, because her school tests are in the morning. But she
understands that it's important to remember Christ, especially on
Sunday by taking the sacrament because we often forget during the
week. It's so important to have that reminder and fresh start. I
talked about how hard it was for me to go to church when I first got
to Japan because I didn't understand anything that was said. But I was
able to take the sacrament and I knew what that meant for me. I was
also able to feel love from the members even though I didn't
understand what they said either. This church is true and I have
really felt that here in Japan as i attend, and only understand the
meaning through the feelings in my heart.

Saturday: Exchange with Eyring Shimai. Way fun. We went to lunch with
Maria Shimai. She is a young single adult who is in Tokyo for acting
school. There aren't many her age at church and she hadn't made
friends very quickly upon moving here so it was hard for her to come
to church. Sister Bryson and I visited her and friendshipped her when
we came into the ward and she told Barnes Shimai recently that that is
why she has started coming to church again. We had so much fun with
her this week and we even invited the lady next to us at the
restaurant to come to church. She is thinking about going on a mission
but is nervous about all the rules. We also were able to study the
scriptures together at lunch and talk about why we are asked to fast
and pray. She agreed to fast for those who don't know God and help us
with the missionary work in the area.
We watched the general women's broadcast in kichijoji. The whole
meeting was incredible. As I listened I kept thinking about Choi
Shimai who is preparing for baptism and was so happy that she was
downstairs with members of our ward listening to these words of truth
in her native language. President Uchtdorfs closing testimony about
our worth as daughters of a Heavenly Father was AMAZING. Every woman
needs to read that talk every day. God loves us. For who we are today.
We came back to our area and made some visits to investigators and
taught a lesson at Regine's home. We reviewed the plan of salvation and
reset expectations. She loves the Lord and the Book of Mormon and she
prays often. She loves her husband and her baby and wants a happy
eternal family. She is uncertain about baptism but wants to learn
more. We talked about recognizing answers to prayer and promised her
that the Holy Ghost would teach her what she should do.
Sunday: After church we did a practice lesson with the ward mission
leader's wife. They are newly married and she is a return missionary
and so cute. It was probably the most helpful role play I've ever
done. She gave the best feedback and taught us using PMG. Amazing.
We had dinner with the Zellers and Regine. We watched the Restoration
video in Tagalog and testified of the Book of Mormon and how it is the
evidence of the truthfulness of this gospel. She had a good time and
felt so loved. The Zellers invited her back to join them for FHE
anytime and to bring her in-laws as well. As we left she apologized
saying she can understand English but just can't speak. She wanted us
to know that she really did appreciate their kindness and felt their
love.

Today: typhoon. It was cold and realllyyyy rainy. We weren't allowed
to leave our house until 12. Now it's hot and humid.

I love you all. This church is true. God lives. Christ is our Savior.
We have a living prophet today who teaches us the will of our Heavenly
Father. As we listen and obey we can find the peace and strength we
need in this life to build happy families and prepare to meet God
again.
Have a beautiful week.

We are so happy when the plan of salvation makes it on the wall of our
investigators bedrooms.